Antitumor activity of liposomal prednisolone phosphate depends on the presence of functional tumor-associated macrophages in tumor tissue

Neoplasia. 2008 Feb;10(2):108-17. doi: 10.1593/neo.07913.

Abstract

Prednisolone phosphate (PLP) encapsulated in long-circulating liposomes (LCLs) (LCL-PLP) exerts antitumor activity through the inhibition of tumor angiogenesis. It is known that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a crucial role in tumor growth as they are actively involved in promoting and maintaining tumor angiogenesis. To gain more insight into the antiangiogenic mechanisms of LCL-PLP, this study aimed to investigate the role of TAM in the antitumor mode of action of LCL-PLP in B16.F10 melanoma-bearing mice. Our results show that TAMs have a pivotal function in the growth of B16.F10 melanoma through the production of pro-angiogenic/pro-inflammatory factors. One of the major inhibitory actions of LCL-PLP on tumor growth is the reduction of the TAM-mediated production of pro-angiogenic factors, whereas production of anti-angiogenic factors by these cells is hardly affected.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Clodronic Acid / administration & dosage*
  • Clodronic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Liposomes
  • Macrophages / drug effects
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Male
  • Melanoma, Experimental / drug therapy*
  • Melanoma, Experimental / immunology
  • Melanoma, Experimental / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / drug therapy*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / immunology
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / pathology
  • Prednisolone / administration & dosage
  • Prednisolone / analogs & derivatives*
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Skin Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Skin Neoplasms / immunology
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Tumor Burden / drug effects

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Liposomes
  • Clodronic Acid
  • prednisolone phosphate
  • Prednisolone